Subsurface blowout preventer



March 26, 1957 G.-BOER EI'AL SUBSURFACE BLOWOUT PREVENTER Q 2Sheets-Sheet 2 m 3 mi W Filed Dec. 21 1954 BY an/ United States PatentSUBSURFACE BLOWOUT PREVENTER George Boer and Martin E; True, Houston,Tex., assignors, by mesne assignments, to Esso Research and EngineeringCompany, Elizabeth, N. J., a corporation of Delaware ApplicationDecember 21, 1954, Serial No; 476,708

Claims; (Cl'. 166-187) The present invention is directed to' a blowoutpreventer. More particularly, the invention is directed to a subsurfacetubing and-casing blowout preventer for use in wells. In its morespecific aspects, the invention is directed to an automatically operatedsubsurface tubing and casing blowout preventer for arrangement in a wellat a level substantially below the level' from which the operations areconducted.

The present invention may be briefly described as a subsurface blowoutpreventer adapted to be connected in a well tubing arranged in a wellcasing. The blowout preventer comprises a tubular packer mandrelprovided with a pressure chamber and a valvechamber and having at leastone port fluidly communicating the interior of the packer mandrel withthe exterior surface-of the packer mandrel; A deformable packing memberis mounted on and affixed-to the packer mandrel to enclose the-port. Apiston member is arranged in the pressure chamber which is normallybiased to a second position. Attached to the piston member is a pistonarm which extends into the valve chamber. The valve chamber fluidlycommunicates with the port and with the interior of the packer mandrelfor inflating the packing member. A first valve member is arranged inthe valve chamber and isoperatively connected to the arm for expandingand collapsing the packing member. A second valve is arranged in themandrel and is operatively connected tothe' piston arm for closing andopening the packer mandrel. Movement of the piston to a first positionby imposing pressure on the pressure chamber closes saidsecond' valveand opens said first valve to expand said packing member and to closeoff said tubing and" the annulus between the tubing and the casing.

The piston member in the pressure chamber is normally biased to a secondposition by a biasing means, such as a helical coil spring. The pistonarm isprovid ed With rack teeth intermediate its ends which engages witha gear segment on the' second valve arranged in the tubular mandrel. v

The piston arm also extends into the valve chamber and is connected tothe first valve which suitably is a piston valve element provided with afluid passageway for controlling fluid and expanding and collapsing. thedeformable packing member.

The deformable packing member is suitably attached to the packer mandreland may be aflixed thereto by rigid connections or may be afi'ixedthereto by a rigid connection on a first end and a slidable connectionon the second end such that the slidable connection will move on themandrel as the deformable packing member. is expanded.

The present invention is of considerable utility and may be used inoilwells drilled in water locations, especially offshore operations,such as, for example, in the Gulf of Mexico. In such operations, it. isessential. to provide means to prevent blowouts in the event the surfaceequipment is damaged or broken off by storms or the piston valve member46 being provided with a pasfloating objects. In the present. invention,a valve or closure means is arranged in the tubing string and loweredinto the well below the water level. Alsomounted on the tubing string isa packer arrangement which automatically sets, sealing the tubing-casingannulus. The operation of the packer and the valve in the tubing issimultaneous and is effected at least in part by the fluid pressurewhich is to be controlled.

The present invention will be further illustrated by reference to thedrawing in which:

Fig. 1 and Fig. 1-A are a front sectional view of the apparatus in theoperative position;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of Fig. 1 taken along the lines 22;

Fig. 3 is a front sectional view of Fig; 2 taken along the line's3-3;and

Fig. 4 is an elevation, partly in section, of the device shown in Figs.1 to 3, inclusive, positioned in a cased borehole.

Now, turning to the drawing, numeral 11 designates a well casingarranged in a well bore drilled from the earths surface such as, forexample, from a water location where the term earths surface will beused in the significance of sea level. Arranged in the casing 11 is atubing string 12 to which is attached by mating threads 13 a packermandrel 14. A suitable seal, such as a packing means 15, is providedbetween the tubing 12 and the mandrel 14. The mandrel 14 is providedwith a pressure chamber 17 and a valve chamber 18 and also has aplurality of ports 19 which communicate with the space S enclosed by adeformable packing member 24 attached to the packer mandrel 14' at anuppe'r'end by an annular sleeve 21 which is connected to the mandrel 1 4by mating threads 22.

The lower end of the deformable packing member 20 is slida-bly connectedto the packer mandrel 14 by a sleeve member 23 composed of an outersleeve 24 and an inner sleeve 25 which are connected by mating threads26. The sleeve 25 is provided with a" plurality of sealing members 28'to provide a fluid-tight seal between the mandrel 14 and the sleevemember 23. The lower. portion of the mandrel 14 may suitably be a partof the tubing string 12' and suitably may be a tubing joint, for

example, a tubing joint 29 which is threadably connected",

by mating threads fitl to the mandrel 14, the tubing joint 29 and themandrel 36 being suitably sealed against leakway P of the mandrel 14 bymeans of a port 33 and communicates with the annulus A between thecasing 11 and the tubing 12 by a port 34.

An annular member 35 arranged on the mandrel 14 is provided withlongitudinal and lateral passageways 36 and 37 which communicate fluidlywith longitudinally extending passageway 38' in. the. mandrel 14 whichlatter passageway in turn fluidly communicates with chamber S throughport 19.

Arranged in the pressure chamber 17 is a piston member 39, provided withsealing rings 40, to which is attached a piston arm 42 which extendsthrough an opening 43 in the mandrel 14, the piston arm 42 beingsuitably sealed against leakage by means of sealing rings or sealingmembers 44. The piston arm 42 is connected to a valve member 46 in valvechamber 18, the valve member 46 acting like a piston and being providedwith sealing means or piston rings 47, the piston arm 42 and sageway 49which allows fluid to pass from the chamber 18 through the valve member46 to the passageway 36.

Intermediate the piston member 39 and thevalve member 46 on the pistonarm 42 is rack 50 provided with a,

3 plurality of teeth 51. Operatively connected to the rack teeth 51 by agear segment 52 is a valve member 53 provided with a sealing means 54 ina recess 55 which serves to close ofi the passageway P in the mandrel 14and tubing 12, the valve member 53 being pivotally connected by a pivot56 to the mandrel 14.

The pressure chamber 17 has a biasing means, such as a helical coilspring 57, arranged therein between the piston 39 and an internalshoulder 58 of a closure member 59 of the chamber 17. The closure member59 is provided with an exhaust orifice 69.

Fluidly communicating with the chamber 17 below the piston 39 is alateral passageway 61 which connects into a longitudinal passageway 62,as shown more clearly in Figs. 2 and 3. A conduit 63 connects to thepassageway 62 by threaded connection 64. The conduit 63 is adapted toextend to the earths surface to a source of fluid pressure, not shown.

Turning now to Fig. 4, the device of the present invention is shownpositioned in the casing 11 of a borehole 9 cemented in place withprimary cement 10 which penetrates a producing formation, not shown, andextends above the water or sea level 66. Casing 11 encloses a string ofproduction tubing 12 which is provided with a packer 67 to close off theannulus A below. Enclosing the top of the casing 11 and tubing 12 is aconventional wellhead assembly 68. The device as illustrated in Figs. 1through 3 is shown positioned in the tubing string adjacent its upperend, but it will be understood that the device could be positioned atany depth above the packer 67.

The apparatus of the present invention operates in the following manner:

For example, the device is shown in an operative position with thepacking member 20 extended to seal ofl? the annulus A and the clappervalve 53 in the closed position closing off the passageway P. When it isdesired to open the valve 53 and provide a full opening tubing, pressureis applied in the tubing 12 above the valve 53 in excess of the tubingpressure below the valve 53 which equalizes pressure and allows pressurewhich is then exerted through conduit 63 to move the piston 39 up wardlyovercoming the spring 57. This opens the valve 53 and closes off fluidcommunication between passageway P and chamber 18 through port 33 by thevalve member 46 moving upwardly with the piston arm 42. At the sametime, the port 34 communicating the annulus A with the passageway 36 isopened allowing the pressure from the space S to be relieved through theport 19, passageway 38, passageway 37 and passageway 36 to chamber 18and thence by port 34 to the annulus A.

When it is desired to close off the annulus A all that is necessary isto release the pressure from the chamber 17. When this takes place, thespring member 57 forces the piston 39 downwardly and carries the arm 42downwardly. This causes the rack teeth 51 to pivot the gear segment 52and close the valve 53. At the same time the valve member 46 has moveddownwardly closing off port 34 and opening port 33 allowingcommunication between the passageway P through the chamber 18,passageway 49, passageway 36, passageway 37 and passageway 38 and thencethrough port 39 into the space S to expand the packer 20 into engagementwith the interior wall of the casing 11 and sealing ed the annulus.

It is to be noted that the lower end of the packer 20 is shown slidablyconnected to the tubing point 29 which may be part of the mandrel 14.This type of connection compensates for longitudinal stretch of thepacking member 20. Also, it is to be noted that each end of the packingelement 20 may be suitably reinforced such as by metallic or fabriccords and the like.

The present invention, as has been pointed out, is of considerableutility in controlling wells and is very useful in offshore marineoperations where oil and gas wells and the like are drilled in waterlocations. However,

the invention is not to be restricted to such operations since it isuseful in many operations where it is desired to control a well from alevel below the normal surface operational level.

The nature and objects of the present invention having been completelydescribed and illustrated, what we wish to claim as new and useful andto secure by Letters Patent is:

I 1. A subsurface blowout preventer for cased and tubed wells adapted toclose off the annulus between said tubing and casing and to close offsaid tubing, comprising a mandrel connected in said tubing and havingspaced apart pressure and valve chambers formed thereon, a pistonslidably arranged in said pressure chamber having first and secondpositions and provided with a piston arm, said piston arm being providedwith a rack intermediate its length, biasing means arranged in saidpressure chamber adapted to urge said piston to said first position, afirst valve member pivotally secured to said mandrel and having teeththereon engaging with said rack, said valve member being adapted toclose off said mandrel from fluid flow therethrough when said piston isin said first position, a conduit connected to said mandrel fluidlycommunicating said pressure chamber with a source of fluid pressure, aninflatable packer surrounding said mandrel and said tubing secured atone end to said mandrel and slidably arranged at the other end on saidtubing, said mandrel having a first passageway therein fluidlycommunicating with the interior of said packer member, a second valvemember arranged in said valve chamber and connected to said piston armfor movement therewith, said second valve member having a secondpassageway therethrough fluidly communicating with said firstpassageway, said valve chamber having a first port fluidly communicatingthe interior of said mandrel and said first passageway when said pistonis in said first position, and having a second port fluidlycommunicating the exterior of said mandrel and first passageway whensaid piston is in said second position.

2. A subsurface blowout preventer for cased and tubed wells adapted toclose off the annulus between said tubing and casing and to close offsaid tubing, comprising a mandrel connected in said tubing and having apressure and a valve chamber formed thereon, a piston slidably arrangedin said pressure chamber having first and second positions and providedwith a piston arm, said piston arm being provided with a rackintermediate its length, biasing means arranged in said pressure chamberadapted to urge said piston to said first position, a valve memberpivotally secured to said mandrel and having teeth thereon engaging withsaid rack, said valve member being adapted to close off said mandrelfrom fluid flow therethrough when said piston is in said first position,a conduit connected to said mandrel fluidly communicating said pressurechamber with a source of fluid pressure, an inflatable packersurrounding said mandrel and said tubing secured at one end to saidmandrel and slidably arranged at the other end on said tubing, saidmandrel having a first passageway therein fluidly communicating with theinterior of said packer member, said valve chamber having a first portfluidly communicating said valve chamber and the interior of saidmandrel and a second port fluidly communicating said valve chamber andthe exterior of said mandrel, and valve means arranged in said valvechamber and connected to said piston arm adapted to fluidly communicatethe interior of said mandrel and said first passageway when said pistonmember is in said first position and to fluidly communicate the exteriorof said mandrel and said first passageway when said piston member is insaid second position.

3. A subsurface blowout preventer for cased and tubed wells adapted toclose off the annulus between said tubing and casing and to close offsaid tubing, comprising a mandrel connected in said tubing and having apressure and a valve chamber formed thereon, a piston slidably arrangedin said pressure'chamber having-first and second positions andprovided"with"a-pistori arin-, said piston arm being provided with arack intermediate its length, biasing means-arranged in said pressurechamber" adapted to urge said piston'to saidfirst-po sition', a valvemember pivotally secured to said mandrel and having teeth thereonengaging with said raek-,- said" valve' member being adapted to closeoif saidmandrel-from fluid flo'w therethrough when said piston is insaid first position,=-means connected to said mandrel fluidlycommunicating said pressure cha-mberwitha-souree of-fl-uid pressufe'forsupplyingfluid pressure-to SaidpreSsUr-e chamber to ac'tuate said pistonagainst the bias of said biasing means, inflatable packer means arrangedon said mandrel and said tubing adapted to seal off the annulus betweensaid casing and said tubing, said mandrel having a first passagewaytherein fluidly communicating with the interior of said packer means,and valve means arranged in said valve chamber and connected to saidpiston arm adapted to fluidly communicate the interior of said mandreland said first passageway when said piston member is in said firstposition and to fluidly communicate the exterior of said mandrel andsaid first passageway when said piston member is in said secondposition.

4. A subsurface blowout preventer for cased and tubed wells adapted toclose ofl the annulus between said tubing and casing and to close offsaid tubing, comprising a mandrel connected in said tubing and having apressure and a valve chamber formed thereon, a piston slidably arrangedin said pressure chamber having first and second positions and providedwith a piston arm, said piston arm being provided with a rackintermediate its length, biasing means arranged in said pressure chamberadapted to urge said piston to said first position, first valve meanspivotally connected to said mandrel and provided with means foroperatively engaging said rack whereby said first valve means is openedand closed thereby permitting and preventing fluid flow through saidmandrel upon movement of said piston, means connected to said mandrelfluidly communicating said pressure chamber with a source of fluidpressure for supplying fluid pressure to move said piston against thebias of said biasing means, inflatable packer means arranged on saidmandrel, and said tubing adapted to seal off the annulus between saidtubing and easing, said mandrel having a first passageway thereinfluidly communicating with said packer means, and second valve meansarranged in said valve chamber and connected to said piston arm adaptedto fluidly communicate the interior of said mandrel and said firstpassageway when said piston member is in said first position and tofluidly communicate the exterior of said mandrel and said firstpassageway when said piston member is in said second position wherebysaid packer means is inflated and deflated, respectively.

5. A subsurface blowout preventer for cased and tubed wells adapted toclose ofl the annulus between said tubing and casing and to close ofi"said tubing, comprising a mandrel connected in said tubing and having apressure and a valve chamber formed thereon, piston means arranged insaid pressure chamber having first and second positions and having meansbiasing said piston means to said first position, first valve meanspivotally connected to said mandrel and operatively connecting with saidpiston means whereby movement of said piston means opens and closes saidvalve thereby permitting and preventing fluid flow through said mandrel,means connected to said mandrel fluidly communicating said pressurechamber with a source of fluid pressure for supplying fluid underpressure to said pressure chamber for actuating said piston meansagainst said bias thereof, inflatable packer means arranged on saidmandrel and said tubing adapted to seal ofl the annulus from said tubingand easing, said mandrel having a first passageway therein fluidlycommunicating with said packer means, and second valve means arranged insaid valve chamber and connected to said piston means adapted tofliiidly" communicate" the interiorof: said mandrel -andsaidfir'sbpassageway when said 'pistoni member is-in': said-- first positionand to" fluidly communicate the exterior of I said mandrel" and saidfirst passageway when said pistorfiis irr said second pos'iti on therebyinflating-and deflating said'packer means, respec tivelyz 61A subsurfaceblowoutpreventer-tor tubed wellsadapted to i close off said tubing,comprising a mandrel connected in' said tub'ing and having'a'pressurechamber formed thereornsa'fpiston'slidably arranged in saidpres sure?charnber having1first and: second positions and ro: vided witha piston arm, said piston arm being provided with a rack intermediateits length, biasing means arranged in said pressure chamber adapted tourge said piston to said first position, a valve member pivotallysecured to said mandrel and having teeth thereon engaging with saidrack, said valve member being adapted to close ofi said mandrel fromfluid flow therethrough when said piston is in said first position, anda conduit connected to said mandrel fluidly communicating said pressurechamber with a source of fluid pressure for moving said piston memberagainst the bias of said biasing means.

7. A subsurface blowout preventer for tubed wells adapted to close offsaid tubing, comprising a mandrel connected in said tubing and having apressure chamber formed thereon, a piston slidably arranged in saidpressure chamber having first and second positions and pro vided with apiston arm, said piston arm being provided with a rack intermediate itslength, biasing means arranged in said pressure chamber adapted to urgesaid piston to said first position, valve means pivotally connected tosaid mandrel and provided with means operatively engaging said rack forclosing and opening said mandrel upon movement of said piston, and meansconnected to said mandrel fluidly communicating said pressure chamberwith a source of fluid pressure for supplying fluid to move said pistonmember against the bias of said bias ing means.

8. A subsurface blowout preventer for tubed wells adapted to close oflsaid tubing, comprising a mandrel connected in said tubing and having apressure chamber formed thereon, piston means slidably arranged in saidpressure chamber having first and second positions and having biasingmeans urging said piston means to said first position, valve meanspivotally secured tosaid mandrel and operatively connecting with saidpiston means whereby said valve means is actuated to open and close saidmandrel upon movement of said piston means, and means connected to saidmandrel fluidly communicating said pressure chamber with a source offluid pressure for supplying fluid under pressure to said chamber tomove said piston against the said bias thereof.

9. A subsurface blowout preventor for cased and tubed wells adapted toclose off the annulus between said tub ing and casing and to close oflsaid tubing, comprising a mandrel connected in said tubing, first valvemeans connected to said mandrel adapted to close off fluid flow throughsaid mandrel, actuating means operatively engaging with said first valvemeans having first and second positions whereby movement of saidactuating means from said first to said second position moves said firstvalve means from an open to a closed position and vice versa, fluidinflatable means arranged on said mandrel adapted to close off theannulus between said tubing and easing, second valve means operativelyconnected to said actuating means adapted to fluidly communicate theinterior of said mandrel and said packer means when said actuating meansis in said first position and to fluidly communicate the exterior ofsaid mandrel and said packer means when said piston is in said secondposition thereby inflating and deflating said packer means,respectively, means for moving said actuating means from said first tosaid second position, and means for moving said actuating means fromsaid second to said first position.

10. A subsurface blowout preventer for tubed Wells adapted to close 03said tubing, comprising a mandrel connected in said tubing and having achamber formed thereon, piston means slidably arranged in said chamberand having first and second positions, biasing means arranged in saidchamber adapted to urge said piston means to said first position, valvemeans secured to said mandrel and operatively connecting with saidpiston means whereby said valve means is actuated to open and close saidmandrel upon movement of said piston means, and means connected to saidmandrel fluidly communicating said chamber with a source of fluidpressure for supplying '8 fluid under pressure to said chamber to movesaid piston against the bias of said biasing means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,080,610 Humason May 18, 1937 2,104,660 Long et a1 Ian. 4, 19382,157,263 Johnson May 9, 1939 2,207,944 Richardson July 16, 19402,504,006 Davis Apr. 11, 1950 2,592,325 Otis et a1. Apr. 8, 1952

